^ jit'', 9T8U V9 a31S3HDNVW 6 xoq WWOD HqlJ93WV9 11V1S / an oxnq63viS9T8if:^v /% or Noverpber 1974 1 Outdoors it? gecrgia November, 1 974 Volume III Number 1 FEATURES The Bridge (Photo Essay) Edward Brock 2 Protect Your Dog from heat Joe Cullens 5 from snakes Bob McNally 5 Ocmulgee River Claude Terry 13 .... Fort Yargo State Park Aaron Pass 17 Outdoorsman's Quiz . Sgt. V. J. Garrison 19 The Marsh (Photo Essay) 20 Mercury and Marsh Hens . . Ron Odom 22 1974 Big Deer Contest 26 .... A Deer Hunter's Day Bob Gooch 28 DEPARTMENTS Outdoor Calendar 33 ON THE FRONT COVER: A tiny pool near the Flint River: one detail in Nature's Fall canvas. Photo by T. Craig Martin. ON THE BACK COVER: Announcing a special introductory offering of Charles Elliott's new book on quail management. This low price makes it the perfect Christmas gift for sportsmen. T. Craig Martin Aaron Pass Dick Davis Joe Cullens Bob Wind MAGAZINE STAFF Phone 656-3530 David Cranshaw Editor-in-Chief Editor Liz Carmichael Jones . . . Art Director Wildlife Editor Jose Vinas Artist Staff Writer Staff Writer Bob Busby Photo Editor .... Jim Couch Staff Photographer Staff Writer Edward Brock . . . Staff Photographer linda Leggett . . Circulation Manager Department of Natural Resources Joe D. Tanner Commissioner Jimmy Carter Governor George T. Bagby Deputy Commissioner George P. Dillard Chairman -- Decatur 4th District Donald J. Carter Gainesville-- 9th District Mary Bailey Izard Atlanta-- 5th District Leonard E. Foote Vice Chairman Marietta-- State at Large Wade H. Coleman Valdosta-- State at Large Lloyd L. Summer Rome-- 7th District Leo T. Barber, Jr. Secretary -- Moultrie 2nd District Dr. Robert A. Collins, Jr. -- Americus 3rd District Henry S. Bishop Alma-- 8th District James Darby Vidalia-- 1st District Leonard Bassford -- Augusta 10th District Jimmie Williamson Darien-- Coastal District James A. Mankin Griffin-- 6th District James D. Cone Decatur-- State at Large A. Calhoun Todd, Jr. Macon-- State at Large Division Directors EARTH AND WATER DIVISION Sam M. Pickering, Jr., Director ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION R. S. Howard, Jr., Director PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES DIVISION OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH Henry D. Struble, Director Chuck Parrish, Director PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INFORMATION David Cranshaw, Director; Dick Davis, Assistant Director GAME AND FISH DIVISION Jack Crockford, Director OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES James H. Pittman, Director Outdoors in Georgia is the official monthly magazine of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, published at the Department's offices, TrinityWashington Building, 270 Washington Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. No advertising accepted. Subscriptions are $3 for one year or $6 for three years. Printed by Williams Printing Company, Atlanta, Georgia. Notification of address change must include label from a recent magazine, new address and ZIP code, with 60 davs notice. No subscription requests will be accepted without ZIP code. Articles and photographs may be reprinted when proper credit given. Contributions are welcome, but the editors assume no responsibility or liability for loss or damage of articles, photographs, or illustrations. Second-class postage paid at Atlanta, Georgia. 40,000 copies printed at an approximate cost of $14,200. C/eorgia Hunting There's been a lot of talk lately, particularly among avid hunters, about the power of "anti- hunting" groups, about their political strength, their access to high places in government, their ability to warp public opinion. In some of these conversations we even hear that sport hunting is near its demise, and that the sport hunter soon will follow the passenger pigeon into extinction. That's just not true in Georgia. Here we re- spect the hunter/sportsman, and we honor his sport as one of the many that can lead to a greater appreciation of the natural world around us. Sport hunting is an important facet of our outdoor heritage, a facet that should be pre- served with the rest of that heritage. But the fact that the sport hunter is not a vanishing species here should not lead to com- We placency. cannot tolerate the poacher, the slob hunter, the incompetent. Not because we fear threats from outside the sport, but because we each honor it from the inside. Any sports- -- man's ethics are internal the fisherman, the backpacker, the spelunker, the boatman: all obey ethical standards when no one is around to enforce those standards. So does the honor- able hunter. We hunters must police ourselves, both to protect the sport and to protect ourselves. The threat to hunting in Georgia comes not from "anti-hunting" groups, but from incompetent and foolish hunters themselves: anti-hunting groups do not cause land to be posted, they do not create defaced road signs, they do not leave wounded animals bleeding in the woods. It's up to us to protect ourselves. Noverpber 1974 cJhi rt ge (Photos {bawara (Brock Outdoors \y) Georgia November 197+ T^ ^ Protect Ybur Dog... Photo by Bob Busby Outdoors it? Georgia from snakes by Bob McNally Only the day before it happened, a friend asked if I'd ever seen any rattlesnakes in the open country a short distance from my house. The answer was no. I'd met nothing more dangerous than garter snakes and an occasional racer, and I was lulled into assuming that no poisonous snakes were around. On a hike the next day, we found out just how wrong I had been. My Labrador was crashing through a stand of low, heavy brush when suddenly she bounded back onto the fire road, licking her paw and staring in puzzlement at a shrub alive with the buzzing of an angered rattlesnake. I tied a cord around her leg above the paw, carried the dog to the car, and had her to the veterinarian's within 45 minutes. But in that short time the venom had swollen Ivy's paw to more than twice its normal size, and shock had so weakened her that she was unable even to sit. Fortunately, she responded well to treatment and suffered no permanent damage. But the episode was an all-too-graphic introduction to the danger poisonous snakes pose to dogs in the field. Most of us tend to think of snakes as a threat to people, but actually they do far more harm to our stock and pets. For every human bitten, 15 domestic animals, most of them hunting dogs, fall victim to snakes. Not only is snakebite in dogs more common; it also is more dangerous. Of every 100 humans bitten by rattlesnakes, fewer than 3 will die; of every 100 dogs, more than 20 will die. Georgia serves up a generous helping of poisonous reptiles, each with its own habits and habitat. The brightly banded coral snake is a relative of the African and Asian cobras, and it (next page) from heat by Joe Cullens The dogs scramble from the rear of the truck with a gust of anticipation; opening day is here at last and the sun is out and it looks like another warm, Indian Summer day. . . . But 20 minutes later a hapless hunter finds his best dog collapsed in a heap, panting for breath. Scenes like this are repeated all too often in the Southeast as thousands of avid sportsmen free their dogs for the opening days of hunting season. Heat prostration is a major killer in dogs: if the animal stumbles for no apparent reason, or if he appears deranged and dizzy, then prompt action is vital to save his life. Heat prostration is a disturbance of the heat regulating functions in the body. There are three types: heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat- stroke. The first two are not common in dogs. Noverpber 1974 but do occur occasionally. All three are direct results of high temperature, humidity and poor ventilation; direct sunlight can play a contribu- tory role. Let's say your dog seems weak or not up to his usual "go get 'em" style; then he starts quivering and loses control of his muscles; finally, he collapses with a groan and begins to pant feverishly. His pulse is extremely rapid. His temperature seems normal but the dog won't get up. These signs point to heat exhaustion, especially if they came on gradually. Indeed, you might not even notice a change in the animal until the drastic stages are developing. Another problem may develop when you are working your dog (especially hounds) hard during hot weather. The dog doubles up in pain- (continued on page 9) -- shares their potent, paralyzing venom. However, because of its small size and secretive ways, it almost never presents a danger to man or dog. In fact, most bites from coral snakes occur when captive specimens are handled carelessly. All of our other poisonous snakes are pit vipers, distinguished by triangular heads, heatsensitive facial pits, and long folding fangs. Three species of pit viper are found primarily in north Georgia: the pygmy rattlesnake is feisty, bold, and quite venomous, but it is so small -- generally about 8 1 inches long that it isn't much of a threat; the most common and least poisonous of the northern vipers is the copperhead, a forest dweller that, like most snakes, prefers flight to fight; the timber rattlesnake is equally shy, accounting for few bites. The swamps of the coast and the south harbor the cottonmouth, a relative of the copperhead, and the canebrake rattlesnake, a sub-species of the timber rattler. Both species have a reputation for boldness, but the cottonmouth is usually the one more likely to stand its ground when disturbed. To hunters and their dogs, the most danger- ous poisonous snake is the eastern diamondback. This rattler is the biggest of all North American snakes, both poisonous and nonpoisonous, occasionally reaching 8 feet and 16 pounds. The diamondback is found along the coast and at lower elevations inland. This snake isn't particularly aggressive, but it will defend itself if pushed. The diamondback feeds primarily on rabbits and rodents, and it lives in the same cover Outdoors it? Georgia A as its prey. hunting dog plowing into a thicket after game is going right to the diamondback's home. Because of the snake's size and long fangs, it can deliver a whopping dose of venom deep beneath the skin. The danger venomous snakes create for dogs is due largely to the snakes' life cycle. Since snakes are cold-blooded, low temperatures force them to spend the winter months in hibernation. With the warmth of spring, they emerge, mate, and travel to their hunting areas. Through the summer's heat, snakes are relatively inactive, preferring to remain in hiding unless hunger forces them to hunt for one of their infrequent meals. In the fall, however, the snakes feed ac- tively as they move to find dens for the winter. Just when you and your dog head into the field for game, the snakes are likely to be out and about as well. The best way to save your dog from snakebite is to teach it to avoid snakes. Catch a good-sized nonpoisonous snake like a bull snake or pine snake and put it in an enclosed area. Leash the dog and put him with the snake. When he starts to nose around the snake, jerk him back to you and slap him. Keep up this jerk-and-slap routine until the dog loses all interest in the snake. Of course, training doesn't always hold, and even a well-trained dog preoccupied with the hunt may stumble onto a rattler and be bitten. If that happens, knowing what to do will go a long way toward saving your dog. The most effective treatment is to get the dog to a veterinarian quickly. Before you go into the field, find out about local veterinary services, particularly emergency treatment outside regu- lar office hours. Knowing where the vet is will Noverpber 197+ get you to him that much faster if trouble occurs. Since bird dogs often work concealed from the hunter, a dog may be bitten without the hunter's seeing or hearing the attack. However, the symptoms of snakebite are pretty unmistakable. The dog probably will show obvious signs of severe pain. There will be one or two puncture wounds, sometimes hidden by the dog's coat. Massive swelling around the wound will begin in a matter of minutes, and as the swelling travels toward the heart, the punctures will exude great amounts of a thin bloody or yellowish fluid. If the dog is bitten out of your sight and you're not sure what kind of snake was responsible, there's no reason to waste time try- ing to chase down the offender and identify it. The same antivenin is used for all the pit vipers, and treatment depends more on the dog's symp- toms than on the snake's species. When the dog is first stuck, it probably will be very agitated. Get it to sit or lie down, and try to calm it. If the bite is on the leg or paw, you can tie a lymph constrictor above the fang marks. This constrictor is not a tourniquet, and it is not meant to stop all blood flow, just to slow lym- phatic circulation. You can use a rolled hand- kerchief or a shoestring tied just tight enough to slip a finger beneath it. However, since dogs go through life nose-first, most are bitten on the ^ Photo by Aaron Pass EASTERN DIAMONDBACK face or neck, and a constricting band is out of the question. So is the cutting often recommended as treat- A ment for snakebite. lay person without medi- cal training is likely to do more harm than good by incising the fang marks. Cutting around the face or neck is particularly dangerous because of major arteries and veins close to the skin, and the nose is so richly supplied with blood that cutting into it will create a confusing mess. Besides, the dog isn't going to like it one bit. Already the animal is in severe pain, and adding to its grief by cutting almost certainly will cause it to bite. If you have ice handy, apply it to the wound to reduce pain and swelling. Carry the dog to your car. Shock is likely to begin within half an hour after the bite; the doe will be weak, breathe Photo by T. Craig Martin SOUTHERN COTTONMOUTH shallowly, move slowly and with difficulty, and may vomit. Keep it warm and comfortable. Some dogs, particularly large aggressive ones, will not let you handle the wound or carry them. If a dog resists any first-aid measure, don't fight it. That will waste time and panic the dog, spreading the venom all the faster. Remember that the most important thing is to get to a veteri- narian quickly and to keep the dog calm until you do. It sometimes is recommended that you carry a vial or two of antivenin and inject it into the bitten dog yourself. This is very, very risky. Antivenin is a horse serum, and can cause severe allergic reactions. The chance of reaction is so great that in humans antivenin often is used only as a last resort, after other measures fail. If you give your dog antivenin and it reacts, the combination of allergy and venom will kill it. Leave antivenin to the veterinarian; he can test for allergy before administering the serum. With all this talk about the dread effects of snake venom, it might seem that we could do ourselves and our dogs a bundle of good by killing every snake we come across. Not so. As is often true of the natural world, what seems threatening from one viewpoint proves neces- sary or beneficial from another. Poisonous snakes should be treated with the same caution as any potentially dangerous animal. But these snakes play an important ecological role in con- trolling rodents and other reptiles, animals we call "harmless" simply because their numbers We are kept in line by predation. do well to know the dangers posed by venomous snakes We and the best way to handle their bites. also do well to let them be. Outdoors ip Georgia heat (continued from page 5) ful contortions as though something were twist- ing his muscles into knots. He probably is suf- fering from heat cramps, going through the same kind of pain you suffer when a muscle cramps. The animal may be vomiting if the cramps have struck his stomach. Neither prostration nor cramps are likely to strike your dog; but if they do prompt corrective action is needed. Heat prostration should be treated by moving the animal to a cool place in the shade. Sprinkle him with cool water and try to get him to drink some cool salt water by put- Do ting a little in the pocket of his cheek. not try to pour liquid down the dog's throat: this could choke him and cause strangulation. Get him to the vet as soon as possible. There really isn't much you can do for cramps; the equipment needed for treatment should be handled by a veterinarian. The best thing you can do is keep the animal as quiet as possible and get him to the nearest vet. Heatstroke is the most serious form of heat prostration, and it is the most common ailment. The rapid pace of the attack is its major indi- cator: if your dog seems to be all right one minute and you see him stumble and collapse the next, you've probably got a case of heatstroke on your hands. It will kill him if you don't act fast. If you find your dog collapsed and panting, with a vacant stare in his eyes, feel him immediately to see if his temperature is high. If it is, he's probably suffering from heatstroke. It is not unusual for body temperature to reach 110, and this is the dangerous part, for the animal cannot stand temperature that high very long. If you find your dog in this condition get him to a cool, well-ventilated place quickly. Then douse him with cool water. If you happen to Photo by T. Craig Martin Jm have a cooler of ice handy, wrap some in a handkerchief or rag for an ice pack on the animal's head. If there is a tub around, fill it with cool water and get the dog into it. Sink him completely, except for his head, and sprinkle it well with cool water. If you can't get the dog into the water, wet a towel or several rags and wrap him up. Keep a constant check on his temperature. You don't want to cool him too fast, because you may send him into shock. Cool water en- emas can be used, but it is better to leave these measures to a veterinarian. Don't try to give the animal anything by mouth, especially if he is unconscious. Remember, speed is the key to successful treatment of heatstroke. Keep a constant watch for sudden changes in the dog's condition. Complete recovery may take several days, but without fast action your dog may die before regain- ing consciousness. Finally, as soon as the animal's temperature is lowered, get him to a veterinarian. The long period of inactivity between hunting seasons probably is a major factor in the inci- dence of heat prostration. Physical activity, obesity, and the action of some foods are other factors, but there are preventive measures: A Avoid heavy exercise on hot, humid days. cloudy, muggy day is just as dangerous as one with the sun glaring down at full intensity. Shearing your long-haired dog is more dangerous than leaving the hair on. That thick mat Photo by Bob Busby Outdoors it? Georgia provides protection from the burning rays of the sun. Many unhappy owners have heard the miserable whimper of a badly sunburned dog and felt the guilt of a careless mistake. Feed your dog a pinch of salt in his regular food each evening. See that he has plenty of water to drink. Finally, if you keep your dog in a kennel or pen, see that he gets regular exercise during the non-hunting months. This makes not only a healthier animal, but a better looking one. Nothing is worse than a struggling, fat, dog, panting to keep up with the rest of the pack. Obesity can contribute to heat prostration. Keep him slim and fit and he'll be a happier animal. It is not a bad idea to keep a canine first aid kit around the house or with you in the field. A good kit might contain: One and two inch rolled bandages Gauze pads Cotton swabs Adhesive tape Blunt-end scissors Absorbent cotton Nail clippers Hydrogen peroxide Flea and tick powder Rectal thermometer 2% tincture of iodine (for minor cuts and abrasions) Aspirin tablets (3-grain for pain) Petrolatum (for minor burns) Nitrofurazone ointment (for more serious burns) Chloramphenicol opthalmic ointment ("Chloromycetin" for keratitis or corneal -- injury) Hydrocortisone neomycin otic solution -- (for otitis externa inflammation of the ear Mineral oil (laxative) These should be available at most drug stores. Ask your vet to recommend additional aids, but remember that in a serious illness or injury there is no substitute for good veterinary treat- ment. Keep your dog fit and he'll be around for quite a few hunting seasons. He depends on you when he's sick; don't let him down when he needs you most. Noverpber 1974 II j^v*i*^ i>^.' Ocmulgee by Claude Terry Photos by T. Craig Martin cr I \ I^iver Novetpber 1974 Morning mists rose from the Ocmulgee like steam from fresh-poured coffee. The only people in view as we came early to the river were fishermen on the bank, humped and staring into the water. We spoke our hellos as we launched our canoe, and got back a taciturn " 'lo" from We one. had come to Juliette to get on the river, planning to exit in Macon. Once we were launched and drifting downstream, we noticed set lines dangling from branch tips. Soon we saw a branch whipping about, and found a large catfish securely hooked, waiting to become someone's dinner. He (she?) was the first indication of the many brief encounters with wildlife we were to enjoy that day. The sandbar on which we ate lunch was slashed by many channels, each occupied by large mussels. The number and size of these mussels was surprising. They were embedded in the sand with the shell opening down, so the "foot" could be extended in its constant probing. This left the heart-shaped portion of the mussel closer to the surface; and on most of the large mussels this part of the shell was badly scarred, in some cases into the flesh. Whether the sand eroded these scars or raccoons and birds had chipped them in their attempts 13 JULIETTE 1 MILE s K BRIDGE E ** "b.bb gauge > PAVED ROAD GEORGIA 1 GRAVEL OR DIRT ROAD A RAPID OR DANGER SPOT 14 Outdoors it? Georgia to open the shells was not clear, but the pitting suggested hungry pecking. Probably the most memorable encounter began as we rounded a curve above the ledges of the first shoal. I saw the ledge shinning blackly ahead, then looked down to avoid a submerged rock. When I looked back down- stream, the ledge had transformed to a dull and rusty yellow. I decided I had been mistaken about the color. But the next ledge also was black and glittering. For a moment. Then the turtles paving it slid into the water, leaving rusty We yellow rock behind. saw literally thousands of the turtles ( they appear to be from the cooter family) during the long day's paddle. Though they quickly abandoned their basking at the first sign of our boat, they stayed in the eddy downstream, poking their heads up, the original snorklers. We counted nearly a dozen osprey at different sites along the 28 miles we paddled that day. They screamed and rose from snags and from the hearts of large trees, alternately flapping and riding thermals, then gliding away. Once, rounding a curve, we surprised a fawn drinking < . ^^^-^-^ ^7 Safetr These safety tips apply to all rivers, even < one so "tame" as the Lower Chattahoochee: < ' 1) Never canoe or raft alone. 2) Georgia law requires that Coast Guard '. approved life jackets be carried in the '. ' boat. Wear them on rivers rated over ' ' Class I. ' 3) Leave a trip plan with some responsible '. person. i 4) Don't drink alcoholic beverages before or i 'i during the trip. 'i i 5) Have adequate flotation gear in decked 'i [ < boats, styrofoam or innertubes under the thwarts of canoes. 6) Wear helmets on Class III or above rivers. 7) Rafts should have two or more compart ments, and should be loaded to no more than Vi their rated capacity. 8) Canoes should run solo or tandem, never three in a canoe. 9) Allow plenty of time: usually figure 3-m. p. h. for canoes, 2-m.p.h. for rafts, plus scouting time. 10) Check the depth gauge (if available) before beginning the trip. November 1974 at the river's edge. Again, on a high bluff sloping to the river we heard a buck "bark" repeatedly. Catfish and turtles, deer and osprey. The commonplace and the rare. We saw all along the Ocmulgee as we paddled toward Macon. The essential feeling was that of a wilderness, not the more northern wilderness sparsely populated by hardy plants and wildlife, but a subtropical wilderness, replete with organic smells and lush vegetation fighting for every inch of sunlit space, as rich in animal life as it was in plants. The canoeing was simple, with a mild current and enough easy class I rapids to keep life interesting. Only one rapid was class II at moderate water levels. This was just below the Dames Ferry (Highway 18) bridge. At the bridge several fishermen warned us about the rapid, and we planned to run the extreme right We side. had no trouble, but the center could be dangerous at higher water levels: it would be best to stop and scout this ledge from the right bank. As the afternoon wore on, we encountered a variety of fishermen, from small boys hiking and teenagers on minibikes to older folks in row and motor boats, "floatin' and fishin'." We got out at the Spring Street bridge in Macon, where a dock offers easy access. Most paddlers probably would prefer to break the trip up into two days, for this section of the river offers a comfortable overnight paddle for a canoeist above novice class. It's a pleasant introduction to wilderness with a southern flavor. 15 ENTRA,,C|, ^~~ Outdoors it? Georgia Noverpber 1974 Fort Yar State Pari* By Aaron F. Pass Fort Yargo State Park lies a short distance from Winder, Georgia, and serves as the recreation center to the citizens of several northeast Georgia counties. In addition to water sports on the park lake, camping and other outdoor recreation opportunities are to be found on the forested shore. Fort Yargo State Park really is an intricate part of Georgia history, for in a secluded corner of the park stands an old blockhouse. This ancient building and others like it are partially responsible for making northeast Georgia what it is today. The late 1 8th century was an unsettled period on the emerging Georgia frontier. White settlers from the south and east were following trails blazed by the intrepid fur traders into what is now northeast Georgia to establish themselves in a raw and untamed 17 land. The territory known to the Indians as Snodon was one such area. This area, around the present site of Winder, Georgia, was already under claim dispute between the Upper Creeks and the Cherokees to the northwest when white settlers began to arrive. Their presence did nothing to reduce the tensions, and while there were no major uprisings initially, the friction between whites and Indians increased. Desiring security, the settlers built several blockhouse forts. According to George G. Smith's account in History of Georgia Methodism, "There was up to 1 792 great danger from Indian forays and the scattering of inhabitants lived much of the time in blockhouses." That the settlers were ultimately triumphant may be due to such defenses, of which Ft. Yargo is one. The old log building was constructed sometime in the 1790's from handhewn logs and situated near the headwaters of Marbury Creek. Be- hind the blockhouse is a natural spring and there is evidence a wooden stock- ade once enclosed both the building and the springhead. In times of trouble, nearby settlers would gather a few belongings and hurry to the fort until the danger had passed. Eventually, both the Cherokees and the Creeks were driven out of the area and the fort was no longer necessary for protection. Records indicate that in 1810, the blockhouse and 121 acres of land were sold to a John Hill for $167. Apparently the blockhouse at some time was used as a residence and was maintained in good condition while many other frontier blockhouses decayed from lack of care. Efforts to preserve this historic site were begun as early as 1927 by the Sunbury Chapter of the D.A.R. In 1948 Winder residents, assisted by Senator Richard Russell, acquired the property which was to become the park. Ft. Yargo was incorporated into the State Park system in 1953. Today, Ft. Yargo State Park has many recreational opportunities to of- A fer the visitor. 260-acre lake pro- vides swimming, boating, and fishing. There is a swimming beach and a bathhouse for the aquatically inclined, and rental boats available for those who don't want to get their feet wet. A launching ramp is provided for visitors who bring their own boats, but there is a 10 h.p. limitation on all motors used on the lake. For the camper, Ft. Yargo provides 34 campsites near the lake. Each site has a water and electric hook-up, and trash cans and picnic tables are scattered throughout the area. Laundry facilities and a dump station are lo- cated in the camping area. For organized groups desiring larger facilities for day-use activities, there are two group picnic shelters located on the lakeshore. The large pavillion near the swimming beach also is avail- able to organized groups at night or when the beach is closed for swimming. To entertain the kids there is a miniature golf course and a play area located near the swimming beach. Will-A-Way is a recreation area in Fort Yargo State Park devoted solely to the needs of the handicapped. Steep slopes, steps, uneven walks, and narrow doorways have been eliminated, allowing handicapped persons full access to park facilities. The Will-A-Way recreation area includes a day use area, family cottages, and a group camp. The day use area and cottages are open to the handicapped and their families or friends, while the group camp is available to any non-profit agency serving the handicapped. 18 Outdoors \t) Georgia Outdoorsman's (Editor's note: To sharpen our readers' knowl- edge of Georgia's conservation laws, Outdoors in Georgia will run an occasional set of questions dealing with some aspect of those laws. This is the first in that series) Circle the correct answer: YES/NO or TRUE/FALSE. The correct answers appear at the bottom of the page. 1. Can a 12 year old hunt deer? YES/NO 2. Is a license needed to hunt bobcats? YES/ NO 3. Can buckshot be used to hunt deer on man- agement areas? YES/NO 4. Is it legal to use a .44-magnum pistol to hunt deer? YES/NO 5. The possession limit on doves is 12. TRUE/FALSE 6. Electronic calls are permitted in fox hunt- ing. TRUE/FALSE A 7. hunting license is not required to train bird dogs. TRUE/FALSE 8. Compound bows and crossbows are legal for varmit hunting only. TRUE/FALSE 9. .30 caliber rifles are not legal on primitive weapon hunts. TRUE/FALSE 10. Must hunters wear fluorescent orange caps during firearms deer hunting? YES/NO 1 1 . Can a light be used to locate deer at night if no firearm is present? YES/NO 12. Is it legal to hunt from county unpaved roads? YES/NO 13. Deer killed by motor vehicles need not be reported. TRUE/FALSE A 14. hunting license is not required if I hunt on my own property. TRUE/FALSE 15. Can a Conservation Ranger enter private property without the land owner's permis- mion? YES /NO Quiz by Sgt. V. J. Garrison 1 6. Deer kills must be reported not later than 5 days after the close of hunting season. TRUE/FALSE 17. Land must be posted to legally prevent unauthorized hunting. TRUE/FALSE 18. Quail that are legally taken may be sold. TRUE/FALSE 1 9. Can game animals be held without a per- mit? YES/NO 20. Geese may be taken in season with buck- shot. TRUE/FALSE 'IM0JJ8JDM pUD 8LUo6 ||DLUS ||D JOJ p34iqiLj -cud s| 40L|s>png asaa6 uo uosoas uado ou si ajaq4 -- A|4uasajd ss|Dj '03 o(s| '51 'p|os aq Aoiu spjiq -- 3ujd6 ou 3S|Oj g[ '6ui4unu, pazuou^nDun 4iqiL) -- -cud 04 p94Sod aq 40U paau puD| IM DS |d ' L1 ^ -- sAop g uiq4iM as|oj 9 [ A4np 40 aDUDuuc^jad aq4 -- ui Sd\ [ 'di6jo9C) 40 4uapisaj o 3jd noA papiA -- -cud anjj_ \?[ '4uauj4JDdaQ s^uaqc; jo ja6uoy -- uo^DAJSSuo^ d 04 p94-iod3J aq 4sniu sapiqaA J040LU Aq pa||!">) jaap 3S|dj [ pa4iqiqojd si asuadxa oi|qnd 40 pauiD4uiDLU si ipiqM pDOJ Auo iuo.14 6ui4unq -- N Z\ ' J93 P 3}DDO| JO pui |q 04 S4q6i| 40 3sn au,4 -- S4iqiqojd md| D|6joac) o|sj ' [ [ saqauj ajDnbs 005 4DL|4 04 dn ppD I AA J3A34DL|M JO dOD pUD 4S3A D JO 'op J J p|no/A 43>)Dd[ d .'4SIDM 3^4 3AoqD satpui ajonbs qqc, -- A|uo on 1 'Js6jd| puD jaqi|D3 otz' 04 pa4au4saj -- 3JD S3|4U aA^iiuud anjj_ 5 pa4iqiuojd si SMoq -- -ssojd puD SMoq punodiuoo q4|M 6ui4unq ||D as|oj g s6op 6ui4unq uidj4 04 japjo ui pajinbaj si asuau -l| 6ui4UnU D | 3S|OJ paMO||D 3JD S||DD DIUOJ4Da|9 \_ -- ou 3S|oj 9 '^3 41UJ1 1 uoissassod aq4 .'3 [ si 4iuii| -- 6oq aq4 as |d S J98 P J 4 |D6a| 40U 3jd S|04S|d -- o|s| \, o\\ ' 'sax Z 4| n P D UD i uoisiAjadns 4aajip aq4 japun aq 4snuj japun puD [ asoq4 4nq .'sa^ [ Noverpber 1974 19 *&$$&& W;! Outdoors it? Georgia . November 1974 Mercury & raaRsb hens by Ron Odom >-' "--"^^^-- Photo by Ron Odom 22 Outdoors ip Georgia Marsh hen hunters again this fall should heed state and federal warnings that high levels of mercury have been discovered in birds from the Turtle River-Brunswick River Area on our coast. Similar warnings were sounded last year after extensive sampling in the Brunswick estuary, combined with spot checks at other locations along the coast, revealed heavy contamination in the Brunswick area and possible contamination in the Savannah area. The Food and Drug Administration currently classifies any product containing more than 0.5 parts per million (ppm.) of mercury unsafe for human consumption. This means that there could be only Vi pound of mercury in a million pounds of food. This "safe" limit however, is in- tended only as a guideline; the real danger level depends on the specific amount of a contaminated substance eaten. Since mercury levels in the muscle tissue of marsh hens from the Brunswick Estuary all exceeded the 0.5 ppm. "safe" limit, it was felt to be in the best interests of the hunters to issue a warning. Marsh hens eat large quantities of smaller organisms which are contaminated and absorb their mercury content. Unfortunately, there is no warning system for the animal life in these contaminated marshes. Marsh hens, soras, snails, crabs, and probably many other species have been contaminated by the mercury, and will have to learn to live (or die) with it. Many herons, egrets, ospreys, terns, gulls, hawks, cormorants, waterfowl, and other species feed in and around these polluted areas and are likely candidates for contamination and population damage. To what degree we do not know, but we do know they are highly sus- ceptable. We also are aware that sub-lethal effects of this mercury pollution might go unnoticed for a long time. Wildlife losses, short of mass die offs. Noverpber 1974 Photo by Ron Odo Marsh dwellers like this Louisiana heron also may suffer from the effects of mercury pollution, for they too feed on smaller marsh critters. tend to go unnoticed, particularly when they occur in the vast stretches of isolated salt-marsh and in non-game or semi-game animals. Dead and decomposing carcasses do not remain long in coastal marshes, for scavengers are plentiful and tidal action is thorough. The Turtle River-Brunswick River Area, upstream from Brunswick, and the Savannah River, from Augusta to Savannah, were identified in 1970 and 1971 by the Georgia Water Quality Control Board as heavily contaminated with mercury. The Olin Corporation and the Allied Chemical Corporation were singled out as the primary polluters of the two river systems. Both operations are chloro-alkalai plants, industries making chlorine and caustic soda through 23 the electrolysis of brine, using mercury as an electrode. In 1970 Allied and Olin were discharging 3 and 10 pounds of mercury per day, respectively. Both industries were ordered to reduce their discharges to less than 0.25 pounds per day and to begin a program that eventually would eliminate mercury discharge from their plants. Currently discharges have been reduced to less than 0.25 pounds per day, a noteworthy accomplishment. Due to the nature of mercury, however, com- plete elimination of the discharge is an absolute necessity. The sad fact is that even if all mercury discharge were stopped today, the problem of mercury contamination still would be with us for many years to come. Researchers have estimated that it might take from 10 to 100 years to completely clean up a polluted waterway. It appears that the damage done to some of our waterways, and particularly to certain marshes, can be corrected only by time and the absence of further pollution. This problem is not peculiar to Georgia. Similar difficulties with mercury have been documented in the United States from Alaska to Georgia, and in many other nations as well. Severe losses have been incurred by commercial fishermen because of bans on fishing in some areas. Researchers in Sweden, where the mercury problem first was discovered, currently are investigating methods of cleaning up contaminated marshes including covering polluted sediments with fine, high absorptive materials, burying the sediments, and removing polluted sediments by dredging. The cost of any of these methods in Georgia probably would be prohibitive. Pollution prevention, in the long run, is much more economical and sensible than any attempt to cure or clean up an already contaminated environment. Although industrial pollution has been largely responsible for our mercury pollution problem, other, more subtle, sources are contributing to the contamination of our environment to a lesser degree. One investigator estimates that the burn- ing of coal and fossil fuels could contribute as much as 1 800 tons of mercury a year to our en- vironment. Other identified sources of mercury contamination include sewage treatment plants, agriculture, the paint industry, laboratories, and hospitals. As long as heavy concentrations of mercury remain in our marshes, hunters and other users Finding dead or dying birds in the marsh can be very difficult: scavengers and the tide work quickly here. Photo by Aaron Pass 24 Outdoors ip Georgia ^> A"- T, > ... ^u * Photo by Ron Odom -- of the marsh will pay the price through no fault of their own. Wildlife living in and around the contaminated areas have been shown to pay even higher prices. Hunters and birdwatchers, in most cases, only suffer the loss of recreation, which is substantial in itself. Wildlife, on the other hand, often is killed by a heavy intake of mercury laden foods. The sub-lethal effects of mercury poisoning are even more frightening, since the long term effects are unknown. Some documented effects are: decrease in egg hatch- ing caused by levels as low as 0.5 ppm., lowered survival rate in young chicks, reduction in egg- shell thickness, and severe neurological damage in hawks fed for two weeks on chicks containing 7-10 ppm. of mercury, a level comparable to levels found in marsh hens in the Brunswick Estuary. Plant life also is affected by mercury contamination: levels as low as 1 ppm. in water can reduce growth and the process of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, the very basis of the aquatic food chain. What does the future hold? Although intro- ducing mercury into the aquatic environment is a simple process, its tendency to accumulate in bottom sediment and in living organisms (plants and animals) makes its removal a complex, long-range problem. The deposited mercury may change from one form to another, or it may be moved from one place to another, but the total amount is never changed. Even though levels of contamination appear to have de- Novcrpbcr 1974 ^ I Who knows what evil lurks in the tons of chemical wastes we spew into our environment each year? The dangers of ignorance are very real. creased in some species in some areas, the level in marsh hens and snails from these same areas remains high, and probably will remain so for some time. Hunters would be wise to avoid these contaminated areas, even though they have been reopened to fishing, until mercury residues in marsh hens have decreased to acceptable levels. Continued monitoring of the resource and of industry must be combined with effective en- forcement of pollution laws if we are to avoid future problems involving contamination of outcoastal marshes and of the wildlife dependent upon them. Mercury, with its more than 3.000 uses, can be very beneficial to mankind. On the other hand, used without caution, it can become a very destructive enemy. Even while we still are learning of the damaging effects of the tons of mercury we have poured into our environment, our chemical-dependent society finds it difficult to learn from this gross mistake. Tons of other chemicals still are spewed into our environment without any thought of their future effects on the life of this planet. Many of these chemicals, which now appear to be our allies, may turn out to be another mer- cury in diseuise! 25 The judging is over and the winners named in the Georgia Big Deer Contest of 1973. This con- test is jointly sponsored by OUTDOORS IN GEORGIA magazine of the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. Judging takes place after June 1 each year to evaluate the deer trophies taken in Georgia during the previous hunting season. Winners are chosen on the basis of antler size in two categories, Typical Rack and Nontypical Rack. All racks are measured by competent wild- life biologists of the Game and Fish Division using the Boone and Crockett system of meas- urement. Any hunter who kills a buck with an unusually large rack should take it to the near- est Game Management Regional Field Office for measurement after the antlers have airdried for 60 days. Typical racks scoring more than 150 points under the Boone and Crockett system of measurement or nontypical racks scoring 175 points are eligible for entry in the contest. Note that the Boone and Crockett system allows for the measurement of all dimensions of the rack and converts these dimensions to a point scale. It does not refer to the number of antler points or projections on the rack. Winners of the Contest will attend the Geor- gia Wildlife Federation's annual banquet where they will be awarded prizes as part of the Federation Awards program. Each entrant in the contest will receive a Master Hunter Certificate noting the hunter's name, date and place of kill, and final score of antlers. The following is an updated listing of the rules for the Big Deer Contest which apply to the 1974-75 contest, and the official measuring stations of the contest. It is advised that all entrants call for an appointment to measure their trophies. 1973/74 CONTEST WINNERS TYPICAL RACK: David Compton of Austell, Georgia, 163 2/8 pts., killed on December 8, 1973 in Washington County. NONTYPICAL RACK: John L. Hatton, Jr. of Macon, Georgia, 240 5/8 pts., killed November 16, 1973 in Monroe County. (New state record.) CONTEST ENTRANTS Contest Entrants -- The following individuals entered racks taken in the 1973 season which scored above the minimum qualifying score of 150 pts. They will receive a Master Hunter's Certificate from Outdoors in Georgia magazine and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. Jimmy Giles, Roberta-- 162 pts., Crawford County Henry O'Kelly, Commerce-- 161 1/8 pts., Greene County G. D. Whiddon, Sumner-159 1/8 pts., Worth County Thomas Langford, Morrow-- 152 1/8 pts., Spalding County -- Herb McClure, Gainesville 151 4/8 pts., Taliaferro County Tony Mitchell, Marietta-- 156 7/8 pts., Hancock County David Foster, Jonesboro-- 151 2/8 pts., Jones County Thomas Oglesby, Sylvania-- 154 3/8 pts., Screven County Anthony Bishop, Woodbury-- 153 6/8 pts., Meriwether County Larry Harden, Tunnel Hill-- 151 2/8 pts., Walker County Karona Wainwright, Reynolds-- 150 5/8 pts., Taylor County 26 Outdoors it? Georgia RULES: 1. Any hunter is eligible regardless of whether or not he is a member of an affiliated club of the Georgia Wildlife Federation or a subscriber to Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Hunters need not be residents of the State of Georgia to enter, but only deer taken in the State of Georgia by legal means and in conformity with all state and federal game laws and regulations may be entered. 2. Only deer killed during the current season will be considered for the contest prizes. 3. Deer killed with c bow and arrow are also eligible, provided they meet minimum requirements. Indicate that archery equipment was used, rather than a rifle or shotgun. 4. PHOTOGRAPH: A clear photograph is desirable if it's one that can be kept by Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Please do NOT send a photograph that you want returned. All photographs and entry forms become the property of Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Please identify all pictures submitted with your name on the back. 5. The Georgia Wildlife Federation and Outdoors in Georgia magazine reserve the right to re-measure any trophy rack entered, to interview witnesses of kill date and to refuse any questionable application. 6. Before the affidavit can be accepted, the truth of the statements must be attested before a qualified officer such as a notary public, justice of the peace, sheriff, municipal clerk, postmaster, member of a state or local law enforcement agency, conservation ranger, etc. 7. There is no entry fee for the contest. 8. Split or repaired skulls will not be accepted. 9. Antlers may not show removed or repaired points. 10. All antlers must air dry for 60 days before measurements can be taken. Each applicant must present to the measurer an affidavit noting date of kill. 11. Address all correspondence regarding these awards to: Big Deer Contest, Outdoors in Georgia magazine, 270 Washington St., S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Deadline for entries is June 1, 1975. VERIFYING OFFICIALS NORTHWEST William C. Collins Game Mgt. Reg. Headquarters Rt. 1 Armuchee.Ga. 404/232-9711 NORTHEAST James Scharnagel Rt. 2 Gainesville, Ga. 30501 404/536-9936 CENTRAL Richard Whittington Rt. 3, Box 7A Ft. Valley, Ga. 31030 912/825-8248 SOUTH CENTRAL Frank Parrish Rt. 1 Fitzgerald, Ga. 31750 912/423-2988 SOUTHWEST Oscar Dewberry P.O. Box 911 Bainbridge, Ga. 31717 912/436-2481 COASTAL C. V. Waters Sapelo Island, Ga. 31327 912/485-2231 STATE RECORDS TYPICAL RACK: 184 pts., Gene Almand, Riverdale, Newton County, November 16, 1966. NONTYPICAL RACK: 240 5 8 pts., John L. Hatton, Macon, Monroe County, November 16, 1973. WEIGHT: 355 lbs. (dressed weight), Boyd Jones, Tallahassee, Florida, taken in Worth County on November 11, 1972. November 1974 27 eer Hunter's &ay by Bob Gooch -- The deer hunter's day begins early long be- fore the dawn of the short winter day that is How typical of the whitetail season. long that day lasts depends on the hunter's skill, the avail- ability of game, and luck. Take the past season for example. A young friend I had been introducing to deer hunting banged on my door one morning just as A the November sun crept over the horizon. well placed bullet from his light .243 had brought early success. I helped him field dress the fat spike buck. A couple of weeks later I dropped a bounding whitetail, ending my day just as hunger pangs 28 Outdoors it) Georgia p> M. ' rnkf-p^S V^aT* "* *%. .- * 1*^ Photo by Leonard Lee Rue III reminded me it was time for lunch. But there -- -- have been other days many of them when -- -- my eyes probed the dusk in vain as darkness ended my long but unsuccessful -deer hunt- ing day. Probably no other game animal has been the target of so many different hunting methods as the crafty whitetail. My own method has provided me many pleasant hours in the woods and hundreds of pounds of tasty venison. I consider deer hunting best when the hunter goes it alone, pitting his own skill against what many consider the smartest of our big game animals. Such hunting de- Noverpbcr 1974 mands knowledge of the whitetail's habits, for the deer, like most animals, is a creature of habit. Deer feed mostly at night and bed down during the daylight hours. To be successful, the lone hunter must temporarily abandon his usual rou- tine and live a little with (like) the deer. The modern whitetail knows a great deal more about man's habits than most men know about his. I know of one wise old buck that has survived many seasons by taking advantage of man's habits: when hunters and hounds in- vade his domain, milling around as they get organized, he sneaks off to a small patch of 29 Scopes are great for those early morning and late evening hours on the stand: they're protection against those occasional long shots. Photo by Aaron Pass hardwoods near a farmer's house, staying there until the hunters leave. That deer knows a lot about humans. He seems to understand that the farmer doesn't hunt and that he is relatively safe in the woodlot near the house; he also knows enough about the hunters to recognize the threat they pose, and that once they leave they will not return that day. This deer has lived by its wits. My approach is pretty basic. It takes advan- tage of the deer's daily habits, and it includes thorough scouting. Reduced to the bare frame- work, it involves a three-phase deer hunting day; getting on a stand before daylight for hunting the dawn hours, still-hunting during midday, and then back to the stand in the evening. Each phase has its limitations, its challenges, and its own rewards. My day starts long before dawn. Occasionally with breakfast, but not often. I usually eat after My the early hunting is over. early start allows me time to get on my stand without disturbing -- the deer who probably still are feeding. Before that first hunt, scouting and a study of movements, trails, and droppings have told me a good deal about my quarry, where it feeds and where it sleeps. Using this information I already have selected a stand along the route the deer use in their daily routine. To avoid the deer, I may have to follow a circuitous route to my stand. The lone hunter must deal with the deer's three senses--smell, hearing, and vision, strong- est in that order. The hunter's stand and clothing should blend with his surroundings, though safety considera- tions dictate hunter orange. I wear the protective color, but attempt to break up my outline with a tree or skimpy cover. The bright color won't scare off a whitetail, but hunters may. Combating the deer's excellent hearing mostly is a matter of disciplining yourself to sit or stand quietly. Clothing appropriate for the tempera- ture helps, since a warm and comfortable hunter is a quiet one. Loose leaves and debris should 30 Outdoors ii? Georgia be cleared away so that an occasional shift in position will not rustle leaves or snap twigs. These noises can undo all your other precau- tions. The deer's strongest sense, smell, can be more difficult to deal with, for the wind is unpredict- able. Fortunately, however, the air usually is still on cold winter mornings. Prevailing winds should be considered in selecting a stand, for wind blowing from the hunter to the deer will destroy a hunt immediately. An unexpected shift in the wind also can do this. A tree stand offers many advantages. It gets the hunter up where his view is good and he is inconspicuous to the deer. Deer seldom look up, A for they seldom are threatened from the air. tree stand can be cold though, and probably is not ideal in bitter cold weather. I prefer a reasonably flat shooting rifle like the .243 or .270 for stand hunting, because a successful hunt occasionally may call for a long shot. I also like a 4-power telescopic sight. The hunter usually has plenty of time for deliberate, -- careful shooting even if his buck walks be- neath the stand. The hunter who arises early, gets quietly to his stand, and observes the above suggestions has an excellent chance of eating deer liver for breakfast or lunch. The best stand hunting is over within an hour after sunrise. Some hunters hang on for another half hour or so, but that time can best be used for a late breakfast, or a coffee break and preparations for the next phase of the deer hunter's day, still-hunting. I change rifles for still-hunting, and may also make some changes in my clothing. My still-hunting experiences tell me most shots will be at spooked or running deer, probably in the woods. These shots call for a woods rifle with quick sights instead of the flat shooting, scoped .243 or .270. I find deer bounding through a thick forest tough for a scope. I also want a bullet that will take some brush without blowing up, so my choice for this phase of the deer hunter's day is a reliable old .30/ 30 carbine fitted with peep sights. The still-hunter's outer garments should be wool or some soft material that does not make a noise when rubbed against twigs and vines. And his shoes should have soft soles so he can move Noverpbcr 1974 quietly and sure-footedly through the woods. While I find stand hunting highly effective, I like still-hunting for its challenges. I have taken a number of deer from early morning stands, but I have downed more while still hunting and en- joyed it more. The woods and swamps are the still-hunter's -- country these and the thickets and scrub oaks where whitetails bed down for the day. The still- hunter tries to stalk within rifle range of a bed- -- ded-down buck and he finds it difficult. Usual- ly he has to take his deer on the run. It is here that the fast swinging, quick sighting little car- bine with the peep sights is at its best. As a still-hunter I attempt to work into the wind so that my body odors will not spook my quarry long before I get within carbine range. I move quietly for 15 or 20 yards, then stop and study the woods. Binoculars are handy, though -- certainly not an absolute necessity I have taken my finest deer while still-hunting and have yet to use binoculars in locating them; but I still carry them, and use them constantly in studying the woods. Some hunters say it is possible to spot a bedded-down deer by its antlers, by the twitch of an ear or tail, or by a patch of brown hair. Maybe so, but nature has provided well for the whitetail, matching its coat to the hue of the A winter woods. deer in its bed is extremely hard to spot, and he seems to know it. Even a skilled still-hunter can get within extremely close range of a bedded-down whitetail, and a big buck may explode almost from beneath the hunter's feet. My most recent deer rolled out of a jumble of honeysuckle and downed pines as T moseyed along. The deer was so close that I was startled and missed the first shot; but when my bullet lumbered by, the animal was puzzled: it stopped and I had time for an easy second shot. Other hunters often send deer scurrying to- ward the still-hunter. If he is hunting properly, the spooked deer will be well within range be- fore it senses danger. My largest buck was taken while I was still- hunting one November morning. I had enjoyed a pleasant, but unsuccessful, morning, and had just started still-hunting when I spotted a move- A ment just ahead in the pine woods. large -- animal was approaching me a dog, I thought 31 at first. Its tail and head were down as it ambled along. Apparently it had been jumped by a rabbit or squirrel hunter. Suddenly it stopped and looked right at me, raising a beautifully antlered head. The big buck sensed danger, but never did figure me out. While it was sizing me up I dropped it with a single bullet in the chest. By late afternoon, the deer, if they are undis- turbed, will start moving back into the open to feed. Getting on a stand is easier and less compli- cated in the daylight of late afternoon. I find it easier to anticipate the deer's movements as it starts to feed in the afternoon. For one thing feeding areas are easier to locate than the bed- ding grounds sought in the morning. Evening stand hunting is not much different from dawn sessions except that the deer ap- Now proach from a different direction. it is time to rack the carbine and load up the scoped rifle again. Since most targets will be in the open, the telescopic sights and the fast loads are more appropriate. Small clearings or open fields are ideal for the evening stand. The hunter can determine the most active trails and take a stand on the opposite side of the clearing or field. Photo by Aaron Pass Dees usually will precede the bucks into the open. If antlerless hunting is legal, the hunter may have to exercise a good deal of restraint to wait for a buck. Let's consider the three phases of the deer hunter's day: The morning stand, if conducted properly, probably is the deadliest, but it requires a better understanding of deer and the most scouting. The late afternoon stand also is extremely effective, and easier to prepare for because deer are easier to observe as they feed. The major objection I have to the evening stand hunt is killing a deer just at dusk, and then having to field dress it, drag it to the car, check it through -- a checking station, then hang it to cool all in the dark. These necessary tasks are more easily accomplished in the broad daylight. Pleasant though it is, still-hunting is likely the least effective. I have taken more deer that way simply because I favor it and use it more. But regardless of when or how you hunt him, the whitetail deer is a joy to match wits with. -- The deer hunter's day is never dull no phase of it. For midday "still" hunting, peep or open sights win out over the scope for quick shots at speeding whitetails. 32 Outdoors ip Georgia Outdoor Calendar 6 Seasons Opening Deer (firearms) in: Game Zone I -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 1 Game Zone 1 A -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 23 Game Zone II -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30 -- Game Zone III Nov. 2 - Jan. 1 (exceptions) Game Zone IV -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30 (exceptions) Game Zone V -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30 (exceptions) Turkey in: Baker, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell, and Thom- -- as Counties Nov. 2 - Feb. 28. 1 975.Spring seasons will be set in February, 1975. Woodcock: Nov. 20 -Jan. 23 Quail: Nov. 20 -Feb. 28 Rabbit: Nov. 20 -Feb. 28 A31CSSeX3S3KX33%XSSCSeSMSX3^^ i Outdoors ip georgia 11/74 Send check or money order to: Outdoors in Georgia Magazine 270 Washington St., S.W. Atlanta, Ga. 30334 please allow 60 days for change of address or renewal Check one RENEWAL Paste your last magazine address label into space indicated and mail with payment. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Paste recent magazine label into space indicated, show change on form and mail. NEW SUBSCRIPTION Fill out form at right and mail with payment. Attach recent magazine address label here for renewal, change of address, or inquiry. special intleductoiu oilei . Prince of Game Birds the bobwhite quail by Charles Elliott Onlxj $Lf.$0 until Dec. IS, /97# Q Cj^eat book loi Cfecicia ^poltsmenl ORD&R IfOURg HOW SEND ORDERS TO: Bobwhite Quail . . . Room 720 . . . 270 Washington St. Atlanta, Georgia 30334 PLEASE SEND copies of Charlie Elliott's book to My Check or Money Order For$- - ($4.50 a book, before Dec. 15, 1974) is enclosed. (Name) (Street)) (City) (State) (Zip)